Pluie/Noir’s close admiration for the land of the rising sun and its artists is notnew. Having released two very solid EP’s from veterans Radiq and FumiyaTanaka in the past, the imprint drives its attention to Japan once again, this timeto showcase the work of the young and talented Berlin-based artist Yuzo Iwata.

Already established as a valuable and passionate organizer and DJ in Japan’smusic scene, Yuzo’s ‘Kiteki EP’ is his first vinyl output after his move to Berlin, anda perfect showcase of his skills in story-telling, musical composition, and sonicwizardry. “True Story (Kyakushoku Mix)” (A1) is the EP’s melodic behemoth:spanning through all sorts of emotional states, ‘True Story’ is a piece that‘s as‘cinematographic sci-fi’ as it is ‘early-morning club’, especially due to its veryparticular movement of tension and release. "Night Train" (B1) is the set piece ofYuzo’s story about locomotion: a hypnosis-inducing, constantly moving musicaltranslation of a night-time train ride through Japan, with a dubby deep low-endthat constantly reminds the listener to keep moving. ‘Ueno’ (B2) is the last trackof the EP and also the name of a train station in Tokyo, which (not) coincidentlyis the last station from multiple regions in Japan since a long time. Here, like achameleon, Yuzo shows his versatility as a producer capable of bending musicalgenres where groove and sonic engagement are key to success.

The release was visually interpreted by the Japanese painter Mamoru Kondothrough a traditional and highly special technique of rock painting mixed withanimal glue, translating Yuzo’s musical train into a unique graphical work.